Road upgrade monitored

THE Pacific Community (SPC) says all cane access road upgrades conducted under the EU-funded $30 million Rural Access Roads and Associated Infrastructure (RARAI) project were being closely monitored.

In response to questions from this newspaper, SPC said all work being done on the 200km of roads at Koronubu in Ba, Malolo in Nadi, and Drasa, Lautoka which were being upgraded were done according to the highest standards. SPC said it had a monitoring mechanism in place to ensure work done by contractors was up to par.

“The RARAI project engaged a construction supervision team and an engineer to contract during the rehabilitation works,” said SPC. “Monthly regular meetings are conducted and issues attended to as and when necessary.”

According to SPC, apart from a few weather issues, the supervision team and engineer had given the 29km of road upgrades in Malolo, Nadi, which were completed, a big thumbs up.

“The RARAI project is satisfied with the results of the rehabilitation works.

“The recent rainfall has obviously caused some structural and pavement damage, but assessments have been done by the engineers and contractors to find solutions with the resources available in the project.”

More than 1800 canegrowers and 6000 produce farmers will benefit from the EU-funded RARAI project.